American Turners National Convention Minutes 1865

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O?FICIAL I.UNUTES AND DECISIONS

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HELD APRIL 3, 18 65 IH WASELmTO~,J, D. C •

Alphabetic~l listinc of District and Societies attendins this Convention.

Society - Baltimore, Md. -

5

^{voted -} Wn~. Eckhardt, Sigm. Juenger a!id C!1r. 3artelJ. from Baltimore.

District - Boston, ~ass. - 1

.::>:prinr;field, i·fa.s s. - 1

}rovidence, N. J. - 1

Society - Cairo, Ill. - 1 vote - Jos. Hulm of Chica[""o.

Society - C'-licar.-o, Ill - 3 votes - Jos. Hu~ and =-~. ·:.:etzke from Chica.r~o.

District - Cincinnati, Ohio - 20 votes - F. ~ertsch with

6,

A. Pjsher with

6. (

^\~. ^Staensel^with ^6. ^All ³ ^fromCincinnati.

Cincinnati, Ghio - 9 Covin"'ton, ~ .. y. - l

:!Ja~:rton, vf-.:.io - 2 votes - }'. St&.~-il f'ro::-1 Da~:-ton.

- 1 Louisville,

.1<.:-. -

2

Newport, !~~T. - 2 riqua, Onio - 1 Ripley, Ohio - 1

Terre· Haute - Ind. - 1

District - Connecticut - 7 votes, H. Siegel .from New Haven.

Bridgeport Hartford ]";ewhaven

Society - Geor~etovm, D. C. - 1 vote - Caspar Bub.

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District - ~ .. :i lwaukee, \"iis. - 3 votes - Reinhold Richter and Otto Zvlietusch fror.1 I..Ul wa uke e.

-.-ilwaukee, ~·as.

-

²

Racine, ·· . .'is. - 1

~oc iety - l~ewc...r}{, - 1 vote - Wm. K.-riecht f'rom 1Jewark.

Dist:i. .. ict - Eev: Yor~ - 23 votes - Jo~-ri ~'.einha.rG., Aug. Ir:rnscher, ".:~n. neseler, Jacob Jieintz fror.1 l:ev.' ~:."ork,

s .

^S1i^itzerfrom v.·11li8.F!SbJ.r r .

Bloomin~dale, N. Y. - 1

Brooklyn, F. Y •. - 1 Carlstadt - 2

East 1'~ . Y. - 1

Hudson City, N. J. - 1 Jersey City, i·l. J. - 2 lforrisania, N. Y. - 1 Nev1 Brooklyn, N. Y. - 1

Few :!ork - 8

Strattonport - 1

~illiamsburr -

4

~ocieties - Of the ·~;estern ~;art of the 0tate of l!ew York - 5 vote·s . Geek fron Rochester,· 1,;.

Baffalo - 2

rtochester 2 Syracuse - i·

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Society - Orange, N. J. - 2 votes - Seb. Trabold from Orange.

Society - Ottoway, Ill - 1 vote - Jos. Gerhard from Washington.

Society - Philadelphia, Pa. -

5

votes - A. L. Weise and A. Voight from

( Philadelphia.

Society - Pittsburg, Pa. - 2 votes - K. Conrad from Pittsburgh.

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Society - Eoc~<: Island, Ill. - 2 votes - Jos. l-iuhn anci I¹¹^• ⁱ¹^.•etze.

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Society - s~v&nnah, Ga. - 1 vote - F. Kolb from Savannah.

Society - Sprinrfield, Ill. - 2 votes

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^Sc^hmidt ^fr^o~^Sp^rin^rf^ield.

District - 0t. Louis, .Jo. - 20 votes - !·¹^• l'. Becker anci J . Luellor from

;:)t. Louis.

Alton, Ill. - 2

3el leville, Ill. - 2

Bloomin~ton, Ill. - 1 i-! e ^;_--·~:-s.r .. , >: .. o. - 1

Neu Orleans, La. - 1

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Feoria, I l l . - l

?eru., Il l . - 1

~uincy, Ill. - 1

St • C }1ar1 e s , hi o • - 1 0 t • Lou :i. s , .. ⁱo • - S

Society - · .. ashin .. ~ton, D. C. "2 votes - Jos. G.err1ard and

vi.

P. Hauser from

Washin'":··ton.

Society - ·~·;heelin'."':· - 1 vote - Conrad Scha::nora from - \ilheeling.

Note 1 - In the report of the Cormnittee on Credentials, nothinc could be found about the district of Connecticut so that the vote and individual societies could not be listed.

W. Staen~el, Secretary

Note 2 - I::i the .piscussions, but without the voting privilege, H. Eetzp:er ( and H. I.ierz participated as members of the Central Executive Committee •

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MIHUT:SS OF Tlfil CONVEJ-.!'T'IQN OF THE

( ^!WHTE ^A^~,:ERICt:^NTUlrnERBUND

1st ~ay - A~ril 3, 1365

h.S it j s knovm, the !'or:-:ieP Socj_al-De:'10Cr8.tic rl'urnerbund did :viot only separate, but t~1e :.1appeninrs in the -Jni ted .:.>tates f'or the past fow"' years clid v1ipc out same con)letel~r fro~·1 e xistencc.

v/r..en it was cles.r, that in tl1e near ~·uture the r:ener~l condition of

the nation would beco~e more favorable, vhich was at the time of a Turn- fest in ~ew York last fall, Turners rot to~ether, held a Convention, and ar.ain or:.::anized a Tnrnerbund. 1fow York was ~iven the Vorort te-:~1pora1"'ily.

'I'hr:; Vor ort of' the f or:·aer BW1a, which was in Bal t j_more, dee icie ci 21 so to re-ortr.anize and called a Convention for April 3rd in ··.:·Jas}1inr~ton.

Tne Central Bxecutive Colnn.1ittee in }Jew York also invited all districts, { w~o met previously in New York, to meet on the same day and in the same

place.

On Llonday, April 3, 1865, the Turners came together in two places in two dif~ere~t Conventions. ~heir purpose was to brin~ about as soon as possir)le an -..mderstar:.J.lnr t o unite a~ain anO. to function actively as A.mer 1.c 8.n •rurner s.

T~e enthusiasm w~s rreat and a real brot~erly feeling was felt everywhere s.monB the nembers of the Convention.

The appointed committee on Re-Orcanization and Re-Unit in.~~ was soon

able· to present its report which was acted upon as follows:

SESSION OF THE SPECIAL C0111r:IITTBE OK ARBITRATION MOTIONS PASSED:

1. That the decision made at the last Convention held in New York, ( to take over the Vorort bills, shbuld be approved.

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_2. To uphold the basic of the district organizations, as decided

in New York.

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3. After the .reports of the special committees are handed in to their ( ~espective executive boards, a ~eneral Convention of the entire Turner

17.rou.ps shou.ld be held.

h. Tne .Presldent of the ·~iashin.'.':-tcm Tu~ner bociety calls the Convention to order and same took steps for a definite organization.

5.

Tne na:ne s of the :t3und is: Nor th kner :i.c an Turne rbund.

So:::.--n.ittee: i-... Voi"'.ht, C'-:air:.1an J. Beintz, Secretary

Juli us ; :ueller, ::--ir. :\.et zi-ce, F. Bertsch

'These resolut2.ons were adopteO. and alreud:.: in the second session on the afternoon of the same day and without debate or objections, the lmion was co~plete.

( A general session was held under the chairmanship of the Speaker of the v;ashinr:-ton Turn~emeinde. It chan,~ed in a few minutes into a Convention of the ~forth American Turnerbund. The followine; Convention officers were elected:

1st Spea~rnr -

s.

Spitzer from ;villiamsburr:. 2no Speaker - r'... VoiGht from Philadelphia.

1st Secretary - Wm. Staen~el from Cincinnati.

2nd Secretary - E. Geck from hochester.

Spitzer stated that the Turners who are present should consider the importance of our proposition and should think of the beautiful and important aims and make every effort that nothin.3 will get in its way that would cause a set back or rer.ret. Let us ~o forward united and make our Turner aims our happy interests.

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^At once, the business of' the Convention was started. The f'ollowing connnittees were made up.

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1. Crder of Business.

2. Pinanc:J..&l propositions.

J . Hevision.

The followin.n: r.rurners were elected as comr:ii t tee ::1embers:

Com;nittee 1 - P. Bertsch from Cincinnati, ·~.'. Eckhardt fron Baltimore

and~. Irmscher from New York.

Committee 2 - C. Knappe from Bost.on, .R. Richter from i~iilwaukee and J. Gerhard from Washington.

Com':littee 3 -

c.

^Bartel from Baltimore from the old Vorort, H. hetzner

fro~ New York, P. Sie~el from New Haven, J. ketzke from

Chica~o and

o.

Zwietusch from Milwaukee.

Com.mi ttee h - J. Eeinz from New York, 'v'J. Heseler from New York and

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Conrad from Pittsbursh.

In order to ~ive the con.~ittees time to make their reports, the Convention took recess until Tuesday, April ~.th at 8:00 a.m.

Spitzer opened t~e Convention. The minutes of the last session were read and, without chan~es, adopted.

Reports of cor.r.1ittees were next in order •. The Order of Business was decided upon and the discussions about the National Constitution was

started. (See write up about Constitution which follows later.)

In the same session the following by-laws to the Constitution were discussed and adoptedi

l) In order to forward to all Turners the infor~ation about the doings of the Convention in a quick way, and to save extra work, the Vorort is in- ( structed to have the Convention report published in a Western and Eastern

newspaper. This only if these papers will print the report without charge.

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(. The Vorort should make complete reports every 3 months, if the necessity warrants i t . It may be in the form of an insert to the paper

or a circular. The cost of same should be paid for out of the National Treasury.

These circulars should appear in similar shape.

To decide upon an Orr:an was left to the Western and Eastern societies.

The Western societies decided to adopt the weekly newspaper itunserezeit" (Our 'l'ime). The hastern societies could not name a paper which v10.s siJ.itablc anci wi:Llin~.

Decision was made to permit the Vorort to select the or:an.

2) Tne fo'llowinp: forrr.ula was su_g:.:.i:ested as a basis for their district Constjtutions.

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a) The Turner societies from and surrounding terri-

tory to form a closer organization under the name of Turner District

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^{; the} ^purpose of same is to promote Turnerism throu[_Sh regular meetinr.:s, ~eneral i:ymnastics under a like system, military tactics, Turner excursions and Turner festivities.

b) Every society which belon~s to a district is requested to set aside time for mental endeavors and the entire membership is asked to participate, in orner to train Turners mentally and physically.

c) At the head of this r:roup stands the ¹¹Turnrath¹¹ (Counsel)

which is elected from the societies of the district. Their meeting consists of the delecates from the societies which are recruited as rollows: Societies with less than 100 members, 2 delegates; over 100 to 200 members, 3 delegates;

( ' ?ver 200 to 300 members,

4

delegates; etc.

. months.

The time of ofrice ror same is 6

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d) If a dele~ate is not able to carry on, the society has the right to elect a ·substitute, same must have a proper mandate filled out by the officers of his society.

e) A Chairman, a Secretary and a Treasurer constitute the 3oard of Managers of the Turnrath.

f) For decisions that are bindin~,

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of the votes of the Turnrath are necessary. In important a:'f'airs, it is necessary that each society

is informed about the pendinG proposition at least 8 days before the session.

~) Votins about persons, as a rule, should be Cone ^byballot, any other by raising hands.

h) 1¹0 .cover expenses, eac!-1 soc iet:! must pay $1. OJ for each dele- gate and must pay it in advance.

i) The session of the Turnrath takes place monthly. In important affairs the Boa.rd of L~anagers can call a special session. The recular Turnrath sessions start on a definite day precisely at 10:00 a.m.

On the same day in the afternoon, a reneral Turner meeting takes place, to discuss questions which are of importance for our Turner activities. Also rreneral class TurninE is conducted by tect1nical leaders which will be 3 in number.

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j) The minutes of the Turnr-a.th session should be read in the

following Turner meetincs. The Board of kana~ers should make a condensed report, as far a.s it is of interest to Turning and it should be published under their responsibility.

k) The sessions of the Turnrath will be conducted according to parliamentary rules, unless other rules are made.

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₁₎ The Turnrath and especially the Board of Managers should do everything which helps to promote Turnerism, also should assist the dis-

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trict in every way possible. They should assist also the individual

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societies by word and deed and in that way make our Turninc a benefit ( to all people.

After these rer.ulations were adopted, the financial report was next taken up.

The Fj_nance Committee reported, that the books are in order and presented the followin~:

FINA~';C IAL }(SPORT

Property cons.istin~ of libraries and moveable ?Oods 1\:oney outs tandinrr fro1~ Bunde s .soc ^:iet ie s

~.~oney outstc.nd~n~ : .... !"on ~ot B'J~cles societies

~ietz, Treasurer for Ealtirnore 3ernheimer, Cinci~nati

1 .. :oney outstanciins - \~·erncit, Lilwaukee ( r,:oney outstanding - Ca.mpe, Hartford

I\~oney outs tandin:: - ·~·~unzbach

Money outstanding - Sch:;.}idt, New York

!\.in~ and Blair ^b~.) 512.10

Straubenrr:ueller · tr.7 .63

Pof~ann, Paper dealer 160 .oo-·

Vvm. SchnG.uffer 328.21

30. 9J~_

fo:i 1 via uke e

4.90

Baltimore 209.12

Steinbach 2.27

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_PLUS _DEBT

Washington, D.

c.,

^April

3,

1865.

Carl Knappe, Reinho~d Richter, J. A. Gerhardt.

13G.6o

$ 220.14 3,012.95 7^.S^'-..^_.,I.^L. ^oo^I ^/

_h ... ¹

Bhll_

~~4-

, .5

0 3 • 3 9

$1,295.17

$3,208.22

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The report of the Finance Committee was adopted and the folloviin~

decisions were made in behalf of this report:

1) All societies who ^o~emoney to the Old Bund, should settle their bills in the next 3 months.

The Vorort should have permission to extend the time if the situation is such the. t payr:1ent can.riot be made within tne alloted time.

2) Only such sod .. eties should be ta~:en up into the Bund, if they have' r:1et all oblir:-ation in ^t~'l^e olC. ^3m1d.

3) The outstanclinr:i: debt of t:-ie old -.Jo:"ort Ylill be tal~en over b:T

the :SunC.. The soc iets in 3al tir.1o:i:e is reqnestec~ to ···:L:.ke an eff'ort to brinG in the outstan6in~ debts.

4)

The bad d.ebts should no low~er be recorded in the nev; booirn • .5) -_-~m. Schnauffer should be the first to be paid. After that the {_ Baltimore bills should be paid next.

6) The District from which the Vorort is elected should ~ive bond for the Treasurer.

The Baltimore delesation offered several reDolutions about the peaceful activity of the Convention and ^&12.0 B-t- the sa:':le time presented

a c·~-i.eerful report fro~n the battlefield, which v1e.s adopted by the rl'urner

Convention.

The resolution re2d as follows:

The 2altimore Dele~ation to the Convention in Washin~ton, D.

c.

The above delesation ta~es the liberty to present the following resolution to be taken into the minutes of the Convention protocol:

In consideration, that the Washington Convention which met for the purpose of re-organizing and bringin5 to life a~ain the American Turnerbund which was the desi:re of all Turnersocieties of the United states, and was brought about in such a friendly spirit, and the

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. r:-lorious report fro:·~j t::ie battlefields whic:-i filled the hearts of the

Turners with joy, therefore, it is:

Decided, L~G.t t!1e deler"ates v;ho s.re asser;ibled at this Convention, wish ~appiness and prosperity to all German Americans who were true to the Union and helped to brin[ about the success in the battlefield.

r~he adopted citizen of Germr-m orisin had many, mfl.ny who vmnt forth and

~ave th0ir all to the cause of the Union, tnese Turn~rs had a bi[ part in ~aking the victory for the Union possible. The dele~ates also wish to express throu,_h thjs resolution the des:l.re and nope that at the next

Co~v~~tio~, we are able to repo~t not &ho~t t~e success on the battle-

~_-n_£. -~te.:1 _.... 0+-!L.J~-..v:.!..r:,c-._,v •. \ . 1 . . -:.it,.,o,_ "¹·• ·t T-~-·v _ e c--~.J.1.-:_c..-'·1n·· ' - --:'1il :_t. ---v l"c·-..,.,a .... _.1 ..... a1.,> .,_ o.n ..1.. sl"~Tel"'>v av .... ~; •

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_h _. ^·^\vith brothe1,:i.y ~reetinr~, tll.e Bs.J.ti!110re delegates, Wm. Ec1'"...hardt,

:Sartell and ~). Jucnc:re:r. 'ununLnously adopted.

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.s:~S:::>I0_: OP A.PEIL· 5th - A.!~.

T'irst Spea.~er Spitzer 00ened the session. r1¹l.1e minutes were read

a~d after striKi~~ 01t one word same were adopted •. ·

Next order of bus:~r..ess v:2s the repo1"t of the com"'.1i ttee on bodily Turninrr. Same was adopted in the following form:

cor .. f.HTT::::z FOR ?RACTICLE TURNING

Wilhelm ~eseler, New York; C. Conrad, ~ittsburgh, and J. Heinz, N.Y.

v~e are now assured that the practicle Turning does not have the attention and activity as it is requested by our Turnerbund and the duty of the societies A continued ne :--le ct_ will surely br in:i: about a set-back for the societies and the Bund. Only throu~h an active Turner program, is it possible to bring

~bout a ~ood standin,<" Turner society which would ·honor the name. We re- crnrunend to this Convention, these resolutions for adoption:

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1) Reco~rendcd that in all Turner districts, a uniform Tu:::-ner system be used. The fundamental Turner systems of Jahn anci Eiselen and the free

exercise of A.dol:ph Spies are to help and ^.~ni~.^e.

In the next National ¹rurnfest all teachers and leaders of our Turner soc ie ties are ur.c-red to adopt a uniform system which can be published and then adopted by all of the National Turner organizati.ons.

The Vorort is requested to make every effort to have this ~oal

reached.

2) ·Recommended that in all district societies a Leaders class sho1J.ld

be orrranized.

3) Heco:.rrnended that on all Turndays, under the leadership of a con111ittee, appointed by the Turnrath, uniform T'urner exercises are to (be given,

4)

Reco~1ended that in all societies at least 2 evenin~s will be

~iven over to the practical Turninf.

5) Recom:nended that swimr1inr:, fencin.~, sl~ootin~, and. marchin: tactics should be '"'1ven as much as possible.

6) Reco::'l:-ne:ided that all socie-Gies adopt a rulinP.: which sta~es ti1at every member up to his 30th year should attend Turn classes.

7) Recom.~ended that the class leaders of their respective Turner societies must render to the Turnrath, a monthly report about attendance, reGistration, and the standing of the society.

8) Recommended that the next Vorort is requested to make up a complete statistic of the district, which will show the complete membership of each society, as of the active Turners, Juniors, Sin~ers, Fencers, (^~^· hooters, etc.

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9) Recommended that the societies give special consideration to the Juniors, expecially to orcanize eood gym classes for the boys and girls.

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Lastly, it is recommended that the societies p.;i ve careful con-

"( aideration for the

establishin ~

^of^·^their^r;ymn^asiums and Turnfields. Same

are essential for ^carryin^~out the above recommendations.

In the hope, that this Convention of the North American Turnerbund sees the importance of our recommendatlons and to adopt same at once,

\fo remain The Com."Tii t tee,

Jae • .t1eintz, \w·. Heseler and K. i'1.onrad.

A request sent in b7 the ·~;estern part of' i.;ew York :State, to establish a Turnteachcr's Semi~ar was debated. It ~as decided to postpone this

matter until the· decision of the 1I'urn-Cor.rr.1lttee is acted upon. T1:5s rrurn- Committee should take over this proposition.

As the seat of the Vorort, it was proposed to name the New York { District. This motion was passed.

Cincinnati was chosen for the next Turnfest and the month of September was deemed as the more suitable time for it.

It was also d~cided to have as prizes, Laurel wreaths and diplomas, t':J.e Turnerbund provides for same. It is left to individual societies to urovide for other prizes.

For literary work, prizes should also be set up. Also for recitations

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after the following pattern:. In COlU]ection with the National Turnfest, the Turn·ers should be urged to talk extemporaneously about a theme which was decided upon by a committee. Every prize partaker write his theme on a paper just before he be~ins to talk. The talk cannot be lon~er than

15

minutes and the theme must be of a general nature.

rt· was also decided to give prizes only to those Turners who will

{ :articipate in all events of the bodily exercises.

It was also decided that the enjoyment at the Turnfest should be secondary, the Turner activities should be first and foremost.

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! A motion was made and passed that the fiscal year of the Vorort should

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be~in with April 1st and end with March 31st of the next year.

General Sipel came and was ^wa~nlygreeted by the First Speaker.

Re replied in a patriotic speech w~ich mB.de a rreat impression on the assembled delegation.

A recess was then declared for several minutes.

After the Convention convened a~ain, it was dedided to hold the next Convention in St. Louis.

The f ollowin~ motions were made and adopted:

1) ¹:1.1he various '1¹urner societies al thoun:h they may not belons to the 'Turnerbund shou1d forward their addresses to the Vorort and the latter, should. publish· same.

2) The Vorort was instructed to make up formulas for the compiling { . of statistical reports and send same to the districts.

3) The Convention reports should be printed by the Vorort. Also the platform and tbe Constitution should be printed by the Vorort in such a

way tnat they can be hQ'Yl" up in t!.1.e soc iet? rooms. Por this purpose the platform should be printed in lar:--:e letters a.nd B-11 societies be requested

to display at least one copy of same in a suitable place in their Turnerhall.

The a~ount of the printed circulars should be judsed by the count of votes, so that at least 3 copies will be set aside for each vote.

4)

Vorort officers who are requested to attend Turner Conventions, are to have their expenses paid by the Bund.

5)

The question of wheth~r the corresponding secretary or the Treasurer should go to the Convention is left to the Vorort to decide.

6) Paragraph 8 of the Constitution was chan~ed to read as follows:

Every society pays for two votes each

$1.50

per year, for three,

.four and five votes each $2.00 and for each vote above five $3.00 • . :.. . .. '··.·~:--, .. ;_.

·· : : 1 _ •.:':"" • .. \" ··~~ ~-:'4

· _.:._:..2_:~~: ^..-~~!~~ ~·{~;;.~:~;;., ·~4.;:;;ef·L~~~~~,. ^··/"

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7) A nu.r.1ber of adcii tional copies of the Wee~ly Baltimore Heckers should

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be printed at the expense of the Bund which was the printed report of the Convention.

8) Tne 1¹urner societies should work toward the establishing of people's banks which will adopt the system of Schulze Delitsch and for that purpose should make contact with workin~men's organizations or similar organizations.

9) The Vorort should make an effort that the Turnerbund should receive as soon as possible, a charter from the United states.

10) Vote of thanks were directed as follows:

a) To the ·~·;·ashin'"':ton rrurn Society for their friendly reception.

b). To the Baltimore Voro~t for the manapement of the National Affairs.

c) ¹1¹⁰ .the press ::.'"'01' publ is:i::.nr_i: the repo1"t of the Convention.

d) To the officers of t:ie Convention.

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e) To the speaker of the ·.-:as:iin:-rton Gemeinde ₁ ^r.I.¹urner Schoen:-iaas, for his efforts in behalf of the delecates.

f) 'ro the Gern~ans in ~~as:hinr~ton whose friendship we received. , our thanks should be stated ln the Columbia and the Wecker, the German newspapers.

The speaker o.f' the r/ashin?ton Gemeinde, Schoenhaas, now addresses the dele7,ates in behalf of the ^·v~ashing^tonorr:ranization for wounded soldiers. A collection brou-ht in the sum of

$52.50.

The Philadelphia and Baltimore ··Turner Societies request the delegates

· who are homeward bound to visit their societies.

An invitation of the Georr,etown Gemeinde requests the delegates to

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attend a Commers which will be given this evenin~. It was voted to attend in Corpore.

( The washin~ton Gemeinde invites all delecates to a Banquet which will

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take place tomorrow evening. After this the delegates took recess until

7:00 P.M.

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/ EVENII'TG S:SSSIO?,~ OF APRIL 5th

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The minutes were read and after several changes adopted.

Chairman Spitzer now spoke some real sincere words to the dele~ates

at the close of the Convention. Convention closed.

W. Staengel, Secretary

s.

Spitzer,, Chairman

PLATFORM AND STATUTES OF THE

NOWPH A1v:ER IC.AY T1TRNERBUND

The Horth American Turnerbund aims tr.i.rou-:_:h uni ting of all Turner societies whic.h accept t~YJ.e platform as ~i ven below, to assist s0.ne in their effort to brj_n ^---r up human beinr-s bodily stron:, and ::-nen tally alert.

{ ·It is also their special duty in every v:a~r possible, to bring about a

clear and correct vnderstandin~ of the reform movement in the social, politic al, and religious fields.. Also to assist in brin~ing about t:b..e final results and the truthfulness of human rl::;hts.

The Eund should be a plantinf school for all revolutionary ideas, which has its beGinning in nature laws and for that reason a truly rational, worldly viewpoint. The Turners reject, for that reason, every plan which curtails our freedom of thought, are a~ainst slavery and nativisms, as well as a8ainst all curtailment of human rirhts which do not fit in with human funda~ental laws.

The Turnerbund sees in the way most opinions are given in public affairs, a e;reat danger for the advancement of human freedom. It makes . the request for each society to .enli~hten its membership in all political ( ' questions and as much as can be done to oppose all corruption.

.: ,, ----·

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STATUTES

Parar-raph 1 - The Turnerbund consists of the United Turner societies of North America.

Paragraph 2 - The societies orranize Turner districts amen~ themselves by joinin~ nearby District Vororts.

Parar.:raph 3 - When several Turner societies exj_st in the same city, they should join the same district in order to br:i.n~ about uniformity in their action.

The desireability of havin~ rnore than one Turner society in the same city must be decided by the 'I.¹urner District.

Para<":'.'raphs h _I and 5 of the Convention declsj_ons from April 5th were changed,as follows:

{ Parar'raph h - The expenses which occur by sending the 1st speaker and corresponding secretary of the Vorort to the Convention will be paid by the National Executive Office.

?ara~raph

5 -

The.question about payin~ the expenses of the corres- pondinr' secretary is left in tte hands of the Vorort.

Para⁰·raph 6 - In the Convention only district deler:-ates ca."1 have a

seat and vote. Same are entitled to their entire vote of their district.

The number of delegates is not taken into consideration.

Paragraph 7 - The method of electing these delegates is left in the hands of each district.

Paragraph 8 - This paragraph was changed as follows:

Every Turner society pays a yearly dues into the National Treasury as follows:

For one or two votes

$1.50

For the third, fourth and i'ifth For every additional vote

$2.00

$3.00

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- jDU -

( ^ParaRraph

9 -·

One of the first duties of the Turner society and of the Bund shall be to work for the introduction of our Turner system of exercj_ses into all public schools. These must be considered as a

necessity in order to bring up strong and healthy boys and girls.

Parasraph 10 - The Turner societies are, therefore, requested to have t11eir Turnin~ based on a rational fundamental set-up. They a.re urr:ed to make every- effort that ~ood trained physical education teachers are in charr:e of the class teachin~~ pro?ra"TI.

Fara~raph 11 - The Turner soc~eties are also ~equested to work for the establishr.:ent of "'!'ood Serman and Bnr:lish schools, free fron any sectional trend, in which music, sin.c-:inr.:, drawin.f.T, and Turninr.: will receive full consideration.

(

bodied Turners practice rerularly ror military traininc in order that Para.:::::raph 12 - The Turner societies are urged to have all able

they can assist the union as rree men under any circumstances.

The Turner societies should also make an effort to work toward esta.blishing a firm republican military system in the

Con~ress of the Unj_ted .States.

Para0raph 13 - Any Turner who is not a citizen of the United States is requested to ... take steps to become one at his earliest con- venience.

Paragraph 11.t- - A Turner who is in possession of a Turnerpass from a Bundes society or fro~ a Turner society in Germany, should a.t once become a member without the usual waiting period and without paying the re~ular entrance ree, if he is willing to subscribe to the Statutes

\ of' such a society.

Paragraph

15 -

A Turner who leaves his society, without meeting all of his obligations and joins another society, -even arter the·

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set waitin~ period, should be expelled until he has made proper settle- ment.

Parasraph

16 -

A Turner v:ho moves to another place, should if a Turner society exists where he now resides, join the same at once. The former society to which he belonged cannot ask membership dues from him.

If, however, an exception is ·to be made the officers of their respective districts can do so.

Pa.ra'."raph

17 -

The Convention takes place every year and the time will be set by the Vorort.

Para:-:raph 18 - A National Turnfest also is held every year alternately once in the East, the next time in the West.

Para~raph

19 -

The District Board of Directors must send in to the

· Voror·t a statistical report every six months. The Vorort also renders

like report of the entire Bund.

ParaS'raph 20 - The platform of the Bund should be included in all society Constitutions and serve as an introduction to it. These society Constitutions cannot have any rulin~ which are in opposition to the

National Constjtut~on.

HALF-YEARLY REPORT OF THE

VORORT OF THE NOHTH AMERICA!'~ TTJRNER3ill·ID

u GUT HE IL • "

The first half year, since the re-organization of the Bund, which was brought about in the Washington Convention in April is now passed.

We are happy and dutybound to render a report about the activities of the Vorort, also a report about the happy continuing of the Bund, the present standing of Turnerism and about our financial situation.

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/ . Realizinr.:; the many obstacles and the mass of work which ·was to be

(

overcome at the start of our official action, the officers of the Vorort had one desire, the trust the !'nembership has placed in u.s s!i.ould in every respect be f'ulf'illed. Especially with the inner or::anization of the Bund, we made every effort to urr.:e the societies to unite into districts.

Our expectations were in a lar~e measure surpassed. In the short time of six months,

16

districts were or~anized with

85

societies which were all embodied into the Turnerbund.

The statistical report given here will present a ~eneral over all picture about the conditions of the district.

Another duty compelled us to settle the finances of the former Turnerbund. How this was done in order to satisfy your wishes, will be

shown in the financial table of the Treasurer.

The desire to orz.anize a uniform Turner system for the entire

Turnerbund and ways and means to accomplish same, was left in the hands of the Turnteacher 's Con.r:-ress which met in connection with the Turnfest in Cincinnati. This proposition was settled satisfactorily for the Bund.

The proposed literature on Tu.rnin~ as su:~ested b? the teachers was ordered by the Bund from Ger::-?·,any.

Every effort is to be made to promote our bodil~ Turner system. In case it la~s behind in some places, the society officers are urged to step in and help to get the Turner program ~oing. It is also the duty of each Turner society to work for the introduction of our Turner system

into the public schools. The effect this would have on our youth as a general national educationaly factor, cannot be overlooked.

All educated persons must be convinced that the human race, in general, as well as the individual, should strive to obtain a uniform

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education, to develop bociy and soul alike. Just as the races of olae times, the Greeks and the Romans in which gymnastics were an important part of' their National education. Our T·urnin~ is to take a li1{e part in educatin~ our people in order that we will tievelop stron~ and healthy human bein~s. This should be our aim as free men and the first con-

sideration of our National educational system.

In order to foster a free thinking education for our youth, the Vorort took steps to order rational schoolbooks, we hope that we are soon in a position to make a favorable report- in re~ard to it.

Of all tr.:.e papers, which report 'Turner activities, we reco:-x.1end that not only to the societies, but also to eac~ individual ~'urner, the weei-cly Cincinnati paper ¹¹Unsere Zeit¹¹ (vur Time). This paper is very much interested in our Turner activities and :.ives us much publicity.

~~e urr:e every· Turner to subscribe for the paper, in order that the pub- lisher be in a position to deliver the paper to us for the sun of $2.00 per year.

As soon as the paper will he.ve a larr;er circulation from the rrurners, we are satisfied that·. the editor will also consider n:ore the interests of other places and will also publish articles wl:.ich will be or a general interest to all Turners.

As far as the political a~itation of the Bund is concerned, we are happy to state that the efforts of the Vorort, in this respect, has the support of the Bundes societies and also the respect and support of all free thinkinr citizens and the Press.

Were not the Turners in the fore front as leaders and soldiers when ( . .:: the slaveholder threatened t!'"le republic? Did they not hold high the

\

banner of reason for the oppressed a7ainst the slaveba.rons?

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Did they not go forth to ~ive wealth ano blood for freedom and l'iberty for the human race?

Who has the riP.'.ht to blame us, after our victories, when we are first concerned with the welfare of the fatherland. We Turners feel

it is not onl;:r our ri r:ht, but al so our duty.

For that reason, Turners of the United states carry on with spirit, follow the road of intelli~~nce and procress. Do not permit anyone to hinder your effort, throu~h opposition or in~ecility. Soon we shall be able to adci important decisions into the balance scale of human prop:ress.

·Jo .forv.rarc~ unhlndered toward ot.i.r ?;oal, let us fulfill our duties as citizens and hu~~n bein~s and the future will look back to us with t~anks.

With Turner Greetin~s for the Vorort,

Jae. Heintz, Corresponding Secretary.

( . !·lew York, November, 186.5.

REPORT OF THE STATISTICAL COMJl.:ITTEE

This committee did plan to make a report at the closinr, of the half' year but the carelessness of a few societies and districts made this im- possible.

~issin~ are the reports from the Southeastern part, from Hucison River, Savannah and Fit tsbur~h Turner Districts. ( 'I'he last 3 became members just recently.) The report from 3 soci-eties of the New York Turner District, from 2 of the Philadelphia District and one each f'rom St. Louis and

Cincinnati District. In order to obtain a ceneral oversiF;ht, we did wherever possible, use previous f'igures, or arbitrary f'icures. The latter, however, only in one or two cases.

The membership in the Southeastern districts of Savannah and

Pittsburgh will not be less than 500. The Bund consists of

85

^societies

with about 6000 members and

154

society votes.

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In order to render a complete report at the next Convention, the

~orort decided not to receive a new report, but use this statistical report as the fund.aY:'lental of the yearly report which will be nresented to the next Convention.

All societies who would like to make chances in repo:rts w~ich have been sent in, are requested to do so up to January of next :year.

Societies and Districts who did not render a report to date are requested to make their report at once. The late ~eports make again as much work for the comr.:i ttee.

H. Metzne~ and

w.

Heseler.

The Connecticut Distrlct announces their withdrawal fro~ the Bund.

The statistical tables were already in print when this report came. This is the reason that it is still embodied in this report.

The District Office is requested to report missin~ societies, also to send us the names of new societies which joined the Bund.